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Human & Experimental Toxicology
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Fatal acute hepatorenal failure following potassium permanganate ingestion

RJ Young

Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong

Jajh Critchley

Department of Clinical Pharmacology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong

KK Young

Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong

RC Freebairn

Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong

AP Reynolds, Ph.D.

Department of Chemical Pathology, Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street, London, England

YI Lolin

Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong

Potassium permanganate (KMnO4), a powerful oxidizing agent, is readily available without prescription. Tissue contact produces coagulation necrosis and the lethal consequences of oral ingestion are well described, with most deaths because of airway oedema and obstruction or circulatory collapse. Whilst systemic toxicity is reported, its mechanism is unclear. We describe a case of suicidal ingestion of KMnO4 followed by acute hepatorenal toxicity resulting in the death of the patient. The clinical course bore close resemblance to that of severe paracetamol overdose. We discuss the pathogenesis of the systemic toxicity of KMnO4 and postulate that it is due to oxidative injury from free radicals generated by the absorbed permanganate ion. We recommend that N-acetyl cysteine be given within the first few hours to all patients with potassium permanganate poisoning.

Key Words: potassium permanganate • poisoning • acute hepatic failure • acute renal failure • N-acetyl cysteine

Human & Experimental Toxicology, Vol. 15, No. 3, 259-261 (1996)
DOI: 10.1177/096032719601500313
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This article has been cited by other articles:


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[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


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